The Vine Restaurant is located in an elegant conservation area in the heart of Sevenoaks, and is situated opposite one of the oldest cricket grounds in England. The former tavern has been lovingly renovated by the current proprietors to retain many original features whilst adding a stylish new interior of inviting creams accented with French grey and burgundy overtones. Light and airy by day, the restaurant is transformed as dusk falls by chandeliers and candles to create a welcoming backdrop to the buzzing atmosphere.Our party went on a Saturday night.
The service was excellent with just the right amount of time between courses.
For starter I had the Hot Sour Soup which was a seafood concoction which included squid, shellfish, onions, etc., and was very good.
My main course was from the 'Saturday Specials' menu, Kent plaice and pea risotto.
This consisted of the pea risotto (peas and rice mixed together to the consistency of runny mushy peas) covering the whole plate with a piece of plaice, measuring no bigger than 3 inches by 1 inch, in the centre. At £16.50, not what I call value for money, indeed this is one of the cheaper main courses on the menu.
I finished off with the cheese board which had plenty of cheese but about six biscuits about the size of a Ritz cracker. When I asked for more biscuits, they brought me another three, so i ended up eating the remainder of the cheese on it's own.
We were a party of ten and quite a bit of wine was consumed but with a 12.5% service charge already added the final bill came to £680, or £68 a head.
The restaurant was full and the atmosphere was very lively but having said that, the cheapest you could eat here is £30 a head without wine and you'd probably need a snack when you got home.
All in all a good evening was had by all of us but I would say the food was rather overpriced, an opinion shared by the rest of our group, and I don't think we will be returning in the near future.
Open: Seven days a week
Lunch : 1200-1500Afternoon : open for drinks & light meals
Dinner :1800-2330
Address: The Vine Restaurant, 11 Pound Lane, Sevenoaks, TN13 3TB
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